Salvage total laryngectomy: is a flap necessary? / Laringectomia total de resgate: o uso de retalho é necessário?

Abstract Introduction: Pharyngocutaneous fistula is the most significant complication after salvage total laryngectomy in patients who have received previous treatment with radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy. Objective: Our purpose is to review the fistula rate in radiated patients undergoing salvage total laryngectomy, to determine if the use of pectoralis major flap interposition reduces the incidence and duration of fistula and to examine other risk factors. Methods: We made a retrospective review of patients undergoing salvage total laryngectomy for exclusively larynx cancer after failure of primary curative radiotherapy between 2000 and 2017. General data from patients, risk factors and other complications were analyzed. Results: We identified 27 patients whose mean age was 66.4 years, mainly male (92.5%). The primary closure group without pectoralis major flap included 14 patients, and the group with pectoralis major flap closure included 13 patients. Pharyngocutaneous fistula was present in 15 patients (55.5%). Global pharyngocutaneous fistula rate was higher in the group of patients without pectoralis major flap comparing with those were the flap was interposed (78.6% versus 30.8%, p = 0.047). Also the pharyngocutaneous fistulas which need to be repaired with surgery (64.3% versus 7.7%, p = 0.03) and large pharyngostomes (64.3% versus 0%, p = 0.0004) were present in a higher rate in the group closed primary without pectoralis major flap. We did not find other risk factors with statistical significance. Oral diet initiation (84 days versus 21.5 days, p = 0.039) and the duration of hospitalization (98.3 days versus 27.2 days, p = 0.0041) were much lower in patients with a preventive pectoralis major flap. Two patients died as a consequence of complications of large pharyngostomes. Conclusions: Prophylactic pectoralis major flap reduced the incidence, severity and duration of fistula and should be considered during salvage total laryngectomy.

Resumo Introdução: A fístula faringocutânea é a complicação mais significativa após laringectomia total de resgate em pacientes que receberam tratamento prévio com radioterapia com ou sem quimioterapia. Objetivo: Revisar a taxa de fístula em pacientes irradiados submetidos a laringectomia total de resgate, para determinar se o uso de interposição de retalho do peitoral maior reduz a incidência e a duração da fístula e examinar outros fatores de risco. Método: Fizemos uma revisão retrospectiva de pacientes submetidos à laringectomia total de resgate para câncer exclusivamente laríngeo após falha da radioterapia curativa primária entre 2000 e 2017. Dados gerais dos pacientes, fatores de risco e outras complicações foram analisados. Resultados: Foram identificados 27 pacientes com média de 66,4 anos, principalmente do sexo masculino (92,5%). O grupo de fechamento primário sem retalho de peitoral maior incluiu 14 pacientes e o grupo de fechamento com retalho de peitoral maior incluiu 13 pacientes. Fístula faringocutânea esteve presente em 15 pacientes (55,5%). A taxa global de fístula faringocutânea foi maior no grupo de pacientes sem retalho de peitoral maior em comparação com aqueles que receberam o retalho (78,6% vs. 30,8%, p = 0,047). Além disso, as fístulas faringocutâneas que precisaram ser reparadas através de cirurgia (64,3% vs. 7,7%, p = 0,03) e grandes faringostomias (64,3% vs. 0%, p = 0,0004) apresentaram uma taxa mais alta no grupo fechado primariamente sem retalho do peitoral maior. Não encontramos outros fatores de risco com significância estatística. O início da dieta oral (84 dias vs. 21,5 dias, p = 0,039) e a duração da internação (98,3 dias vs. 27,2 dias, p = 0,0041) foram muito menores nos pacientes com uso preventivo do retalho do peitoral maior. Dois pacientes morreram em consequência de complicações de grandes faringostomias. Conclusões: O uso profilático do retalho do peitoral maior reduziu a incidência, a gravidade e a duração da fístula e deve ser considerado durante a laringectomia total de resgate.

Repair of post-laryngectomy pharyngocutaneous fistulas using a pectoralis major flap / Reparo de fístulas faringocutâneas pós-laringectomia utilizando retalho do músculo peitoral maior

Abstract Introduction: The pectoralis major flap is a reconstructive option to consider in the treatment of pharyngocutaneous fistula after a total laryngectomy. There are not large studies assessing variables related to pharyngocutaneous fistula recurrence after removal of the larynx. Our objectives were to review the results obtained with this type of treatment when pharyngocutaneous fistula appears in laryngectomized patients, and to evaluate variables related to the results. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed our results using either a myocutaneous or fasciomuscular pectoralis major flap to repair pharyngocutaneous fistula in 50 patients. Results: There were no cases of flap necrosis. Oral intake after fistula repair with a pectoralis major flap was restored in 94% of cases. Fistula recurrence occurred in 22 cases (44%), and it was associated with a lengthening of the hospital stay. Performing the flap as an emergency procedure was associated with a significantly higher risk of fistula recurrence. Hospital stay was significantly shorter when a salivary tube was placed. Conclusions: The pectoralis major flap is a useful approach to repair pharyngocutaneous fistula. Placing salivary tubes during fistula repair significantly reduces hospital stay and complication severity in case of pharyngocutaneous fistula recurrence.

Resumo Introdução: O retalho do músculo peitoral maior é uma opção a ser considerada no fechamento de fístula faringocutânea pós-laringectomia total. Não há grandes estudos que avaliem as variáveis relacionadas à recorrência da fístula faringocutânea após esse procedimento. Nossos objetivos foram avaliar os resultados obtidos com esse tipo de tratamento em pacientes laringectomizados com fístula faringocutânea e as variáveis relacionadas aos resultados. Método: Revisamos retrospectivamente os nossos resultados em 50 pacientes nos quais um retalho miocutâneo ou fasciomuscular do músculo peitoral maior foram utilizados para reparar a fístula faringocutânea. Resultados: Não houve casos de necrose de retalho. Após o reparo da fístula com um retalho do músculo peitoral maior, a ingestão oral foi restaurada em 94% dos casos. Houve recorrência da fístula em 22 casos (44%), a qual foi associada à duração da hospitalização. O uso do retalho como procedimento de emergência foi associado a um risco significativamente maior de recorrência da fístula. A permanência hospitalar foi significativamente menor quando utilizado um tubo de derivação salivar. Conclusões: O uso do retalho do músculo peitoral maior é uma abordagem útil para reparar a fístula faringocutânea. A colocação de tubos de derivação salivar durante o reparo da fístula reduz significativamente o tempo de hospitalização e a gravidade das complicações em caso de recorrência da fístula faringocutânea.

Clinical application of pedicled chimeric thoracoacromial artery perforator flap for circular hypopharyngeal reconstruction / 中国修复重建外科杂志

Objective: To explore the effectiveness of pedicled chimeric thoracoacromial artery perforator (TAAP) flap as a reconstructive option for circular hypopharyngeal defects. Methods: Between January 2013 and December 2014, the pedicled chimeric TAAP flap was used to repair oncologic circular hypopharyngeal defects in 8 patients, included 6 males and 2 females, with an average age of 57 years (range, 45-80 years). All patients were treated in other hospitals before and recurrence was noted. The duration between latest treatment and recurrence ranged from 3 to 28 months (mean, 16.5 months). According to Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) TNM staged, 3 cases were T 2N 1M 0, 2 cases were T 3N 1M 0, 1 case was T 3N 2M 0, 2 cases were T 4N 1M 0. After laryngectomy, the size of circular hypopharyngeal defect ranged from 9.0 cm×8.5 cm to 12.0 cm×10.5 cm. The size of TAAP flap ranged from 7.0 cm×4.0 cm to 9.5 cm×6.0 cm．The size of pectoralis major flap ranged from 9.0 cm×5.0 cm to 14.5 cm×6.0 cm．The donor sites were closed directly in all cases. Results: Postoperatively all flaps survived smoothly, and all defects healed by first intention. No early complication was noted. The mean hospital stay period ranged from 12 to 22 days (mean, 14.5 days). All patients were followed up 12-45 months (mean, 18.7 months). Patients possessed good appearance of surgical sites. No recurrence, fistulas, stenosis/strictures, dehiscence, or swelling occurred. Only linear scars were left on the donor sites, and the pectoralis major muscle function was completely preserved in all patients. Conclusion: Patients with high comorbidities may not be suitable candidates for free flap reconstruction, especially when the recipient vessels are affected from disease or radiotherapy. Pedicled chimeric TAAP flap is a good choice for the reconstruction of hypopharyngeal defects in such conditions．.

Comparison of Clinical and Functional Outcomes Using Pectoralis Major and Cutaneous Free Flaps for Hypopharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare postoperative morbidities and functional outcomes of pectoralis major myocutaneous (PMMC) flap and cutaneous free flap reconstruction approaches in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma patients. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed records from 99 patients who underwent hypopharyngeal reconstruction with a cutaneous free flap (n=85) or PMMC flap (n=14) between 1995 and 2013. Morbidity was classified into hospitalization, medical, or flap-related complications. Functional outcomes were classified into oral re-alimentation and decannulation time. RESULTS: The overall flap-related complication rate was higher in the PMMC flap group (n=8, 57.1%; P=0.019), but the medical morbidity rate was higher in the cutaneous free flap group (n=68, 80%; P=0.006). The rate of pneumonia was higher in the cutaneous free flap group (n=48, 56.5%; P=0.020). Pulmonary premorbidity was the variable most significantly associated with pneumonia (odds ratio=3.012, P=0.012). There was no statistically significant difference in oral re-alimentation and decannulation time between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although the functional superiority of free flaps has been reported in many studies, our results do not support this hypothesis. One limitation of our study is the relatively smaller flap size and fewer PMMC flap cases compared with the cutaneous free flap group. The low postoperative medical morbidity incidence rate in the PMMC flap group was clinically significant; however, the free flap group had more flap-related complications. Thus, PMMC flaps should be considered a viable option, especially for patients with pulmonary premorbidities.

Selection Flaps in Chest Wall Reconstruction after Open Drainage for Empyema

The purpose of reconstruction of chest wall defect after open drainage in chronic empyema is the control and prevention of recurrent infection, obliteration of dead space in thoracic cavity, and coverage of open wound. For the obliteration of empyema cavities, latissimus dorsi, pectoralis major or rectus abdominis flaps are commonly used. Among them, latissimus dorsi flap based on thoracodorsal pedicle is most versatile and most reliable. If the latissimus dorsi flap can not be used, the author uses pectoralis major flap or rectus abdominis flap depending on the location and the size of dead space and skin defect. The author reports the results of eight patients who underwent reconstruction of chest wall defect with bronchopleural fistula in empyema using muscle flaps. The author performed 4 latissimus dorsi flaps, 3 pectoralis major flaps, 1 rectus abdominis flap according to various situations. According to the size of dead space and skin defect, the author also performed deepithelized musculocutaneous flap, musculocutaneous flap or muscle flap respectively. During the follow-up period, recurrence of empyema, flap survival, morbidity of donor site and patient's satisfaction were evaluated. There was no recurrence of empyema or wound complication. Also, patients were satisfied with the results of operation. The results demonstrate reliability of various muscle flaps and author's method in selection of reconstruction flap for the chest wall defect after open drainage in empyema.